Blog

Ok that was a bit misleading, I’m not starting a diary – although I guess you could argue a blog can be a diary. Mainly I was just stumped for an interesting title to talk about new year resolutions that didn’t involve ‘new year resolutions’, and suddenly found myself thinking about turkey curry buffets, running around naked in other peoples swimming pools and making blue soup – I’ve resolved to do all of these in 2015!
You’ll be relieved to know I’m not about to start rambling on Bridget Jones style about my new year resolutions, or looking back at the ones I achieved in 2014 – quite simply I didn’t make any, and in 2015 I have only one.
To learn.
Yeah, ok that sounds really... Continue...

Ok, not exactly – but check out these awesome coasters I got at the vintage fashion fair this weekend when it came to Oxford! As well as the beautiful Bettie Page I also picked up a few featuring these great pin up covers which I’m sure my fellow pin up enthusiasts will recognise, and many of which I’ve taken along for inspiration for my own retro photo shoots.
Unfortunately, the seller of these lovely little coasters is something of a mystery – they don’t sell online or have a name, but I’d say it’s a safe bet you might catch them at a vintage fair near you. At just £10 for 4 it’s worth gambling the entry fee to find out!
Obviously it would be silly to come home with a bag full of... Continue...

So, after two years of going without a holiday, this year, actually this month, I’m lucky enough to have two – one stateside, and the other, a staycation.
As a fan of all things cream tea, I wouldn’t blame you for thinking a 3 night trip to Cornwall was my shout, but to tell you the truth, when I booked it I could have taken or left it, I really booked it as a treat for my mum who’d been dying to go for years. Little did I know that by the end of the trip, I’d have fallen in love with the place, and I can’t wait to go back.
And go back I most definitely will! If not least because there’s so much to do and see that 4 days simply isn’t enough – but here are the highlights of what I did... Continue...

Just to clarify, this isn’t one of those teaser titles to draw you in and get more hits, this title pretty much tells it as it is – sadly, after last week’s show I’ve decided to stop watching Great British Bake Off.
As I was busy hosting my radio show on Wednesday, I missed the show and caught up with it on Sunday – if like me you also missed it, you probably found yourself also trying desperately to avoid the overactive Twitter feeds, and gathered that clearly there was some sort of incident or controversy in the tent.
I’m not going to dwell on it, the media have done that enough, but if by some miracle you’re still in the dark about what the hell happened, basically Irish baker Iain... Continue...

Last week was the dreaded bread week on Great British Bake Off – I found simply watching the show stressful, I don’t know how the bakers managed it, but ironically despite the fact they found themselves facing the toughest tasks in the series to date, they collectively got the best feedback from the judges. Yes, their buns and baps went down rather well, and even baker Iain who’s been struggling since day one, seems to have turned a corner.
Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for Jordan, who after a rough couple of weeks left the competition, whilst the lovely Norman who was scorned for being simple, was narrowly spared. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Norm, but I thought Mary’s farewell speech... Continue...

Whilst I’m yet to embark on my motorbike adventure, sadly my Harley-Davidson journey has come to an end. After working on a contract for the company for the last 3 months, the time has come to give up the maternity mantle and move onto marketing pastures new.
I can genuinely say without a shadow of a doubt, Harley-Davidson has been my favourite ever place to work. Ok, with a kick-ass brand lived and breathed by millions – some of whom don’t even own a bike!, it’s hardly surprising, but before I got to experience it for myself, I couldn’t begin to imagine just how much of an impact it would have on me.
Not only has it given me the chance to meet some amazing new people and inspired me to start... Continue...

Last week the heat turned up in the Great British Bake Off kitchen and everyone, not least the recently departed Enwezor, went slightly crackers over the series of biscuit based challenges.
Starting with savoury recipes, naval Norman impressed with his simple but perfect Penny Farthing crackers, whilst Iain’s flavour combinations overwhelmed. After a turbulent first week, it’s no surprise that he was one of the week’s worst bakers, I’ll be surprised if he isn’t the next baker to leave.
Meanwhile, Kate continued to struggle with her textures, after dry cakes in week 1, her apple and cheese crackers were too moist.
Nancy whipped out yet another bespoke baking tool – if she were to leave the... Continue...

Guess what…. I only went and bought a motorcycle!
Ok, well a 125cc which is the smallest bike you can learn on, but if you even so much as dare refer to it as “just a small one” I will slap you, all be it with handfuls of glitter and cream.
What on earth would possess someone to buy a motorbike when they can’t even drive a car?, you’re thinking. Well it gets even more nuts – I haven’t even got my L-plates yet!
For the last 3 months I’ve been working on a marketing contract for Harley-Davidson (more on that in a blog coming soon) and just a few weeks in, I was addicted to the brand and booked in to complete by Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) to get my L-plates. Supposedly suitable... Continue...

It’s already August, and forgive me for saying it but let’s face it, the summer’s nearly over, so I’ve been making hay whilst the sun shines, well jam actually…
After experimenting with some new cake recipes using jam, I decided it was about time I plucked up the courage to have a go at making my own – and what’s more, I wanted to make it from scratch complete with fresh, hand-picked fruit.
Impatient and eager to get going, I ran off to Rectory Farm, one of Oxfordshire’s many pick your own farms and got stuck into some strawberry picking – being mid June and the start of the summer berry season, strawberries and gooseberries were the only thing in season.
Now, little did... Continue...

Just to give you the heads up folks, whilst the title of this blog does look like a bit of a rant, I promise I do make a good point and hopefully have some helpful advice for other gals in my predicament.
Last night, Dawn O' Porter was once again on her vintage soapbox in her series, This Old Thing… Now let’s forget for a second all the stupid nonsense like the fact she encourages people to save money by buying vintage yet doesn't think twice about spending £200 on a dress, the fact that half the stuff isn’t even vintage, and that there’s no real guidance on what to look for/pay when shopping for vintage (although she scored brownie points last night for referencing Dita Von Teese) – let’s... Continue...